Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried is asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to implement a statewide “stay-at-home” order in response to the increased cases of COVID-19.

Read her full statement below:

“I want to recognize the difficult choices the Governor has had to make in this public health crisis. No Governor in recent history would have expected to have to make a decision like California, New York, or Illinois have made in the past 72 hours. Shutting down one of the nation’s largest states is a decision that will have an economic impact – but it is a decision that will save lives. Based on the data, we know we are a week behind California’s vast increase in COVID-19 cases. The individuals and businesses I’ve spoken with are growing more anxious by the day. As the nation’s third largest state, we need to go further, and we cannot afford to lose another week. I am asking the Governor to consider implementing a statewide “stay-at-home” order, closing all non-essential businesses for a reasonable timeframe, after which time the situation could be reassessed. A piecemeal approach of closing certain communities and businesses risks sowing further confusion. I encourage the Governor to take this decisive action today to save lives and preserve Florida’s economy for our shared future. I will stand by the Governor should he make this difficult decision, and I implore him to do so now.”

7:30 p.m. update

Marion County officials have confirmed the first positive case in the county.

The resident infected is a 59-year-old female and is self-isolated, officials said. It is not believed that she recently traveled internationally.

A third TSA officer at Orlando International Airport has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a news release.

The screening officer last worked on March 16 at the east checkpoint from 4 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., according to the TSA.

Previously, two TSA west checkpoint screening officers tested positive. One of them last worked on March 10 from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and the other last worked on March 11 from noon to 8:30 p.m., according to TSA.

“TSA confirms today that two additional Transportation Security Officers who work at Orlando International Airport have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus," TSA said in a written statement. “One officer is resting at home and the other is receiving medical care at a hospital. TSA employees who have come in contact with the officers during the past 14 days were notified and provided direction on next steps."

Security screening checkpoints remain open and the agency is working with the CDC and the Orange County Department of Health to monitor the situation, the CDC said.

6 p.m. update

The Florida Department of Health is reporting that there are now 563 cases of the coronavirus in Florida and that 11 people have died from the virus in the state. That is up from 520 cases and 10 deaths reported Friday morning.

That includes one new case in Orange County, two new cases in Seminole County and one in case in Volusia County.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said two people died from COVID-19 and seven other people are infected at an assisted living facility in Broward County. He said officials believe the virus infiltrated the facility from an outside employee.

He also said The Villages will soon have a drive-through testing site for COVID-19.

This media conference was held live on Friday, March 20, 2020.

5 p.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Florida Department of Health has more than 700 school nurses ready to help with the COVID-19 response.

Gov. DeSantis -Department of Health has more than 700 school nurses to help with #Covid19 response. #wftv

Palm Coast officials said they have have closed all park playgrounds, pavilions and restrooms to the public until further notice.

1 p.m. update

Orange County Public Schools and Orange Education Support Professionals Association reached an agreement Friday to pay any classified employee during the period beginning on Monday until June 30 who is unable to work (or telework) due to:

Symptoms of acute respiratory illness

Are “high risk” under the guidance of the CDC

Serve as primary caregiver of third parties who would be considered “high risk”

Are returning from international travel or cruises or have been exposed to a person with a documented positive testing for COVID-19

The district said employees that do not fall into those categories will receive full pay but are only required to work four hours per day. Their return date is Monday

The district agreed to meet all safety measures as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention including not having groups of employees greater than 10 gather and maintaining the recommended “social distancing” standard of 6 feet between individuals.

12:10 p.m. update

President Trump announced Friday that the government is temporarily waiving interest on federally-held student loans.

He said the U.S.-Mexico border is also being closed to all non-essential travel.

NEW: Pres. Trump says the government has "temporarily waived all interest on federally-held student loans," and will allow "borrowers to suspend their student loans and loan payments without penalty" for at least 60 days. https://t.co/nSbrvaBS8rpic.twitter.com/naFfMtFsCa

The Florida Department of Health announced Friday morning that the number of COVID-19 cases in the state has jumped to 520 from 432 Thursday night, including new cases in Orange and Brevard counties. Those cases include 474 Florida resident, and 46 non-residents.

The department is also reporting an additional death, which brings the death toll in the state up to 10

NEW CASES:

Orange: 22 (19 last night)

Brevard: 4 (3 last night)

NO CHANGE:

Seminole: 8 (the local Seminole County health department reported 13 on Thursday)

Osceola: 13

Volusia: 9 (one of these is a Volusia County resident who tested positive in Flagler County)

runDisney officials announced Friday that the 2020 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, scheduled for April 16-19, has been canceled.

“In an abundance of caution, the 2020 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend will be cancelled. In addition, because our runDisney races require the presence of local medical professionals and first responders to monitor and treat runners, this will free up those resources for more critical needs during this time,” officials said in an update posted on the runDisney website.

Officials said all participants who purchased their registrations on runDisney.com will receive a refund for their race registration.

The Orange County Tax Collector’s Office will close to the public effective Friday at 5 p.m. until further notice, Tax Collector Scott Randolph said. The office will continue to provide services online, by email and telephone with limited personnel.

10:30 a.m. update

Beginning at noon Friday, all Brevard County government facilities will be closed to the public for the health and safety of county residents and county employees during the COVID-19 crisis. The closure will extend through at least Wednesday, April 15.

10:25 a.m. update

The city of Cocoa Beach has announced a temporary ban on consuming/possessing alcoholic beverages on beaches of Cocoa Beach.

3/20/20 | City of Cocoa Beach has announced the temp. ban on consuming/possessing alcoholic beverages on beaches of Cocoa Beach

The hours of operations for the Lake County COVID-19 Information Line hours have been extended to Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can call 352-742-4830 with any coronavirus, COVID-19, questions or concerns.

8:13 a.m. update:

Flagler County county officials have been notified by the Florida Department of Health that there is a person who tested positive for coronavirus in the county. The patient is a resident of Volusia County.

The case isn’t counted as an additional one and is a part of the nine reported cases in Volusia County.

Flagler County has been notified by the Florida Department of Health that there is a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in Flagler County, who is a resident of Volusia County.